A mum decided a box of chocolates just did not cut it as a thank you for hospital staff who cared for her children.

Instead she donated more than £2,000 to the Saving Tiny Lives appeal.

Becky Lovatt donated all of the proceeds from the sales of her book to the Babies In Buscot Support (BIBS) and getreading appeal to raise funds for a special incubator.

On November 4, 2010, Mrs Lovatt from Caversham, gave birth to Emerald at 25 weeks after developing pre-eclampsia.

Sadly she was stillborn.

Just over a year later on November 7, 2011, Mrs Lovatt and her husband Tim returned to Royal Berkshire Hospital for the birth of their son Theo.

After developing the same condition, Mrs Lovatt had an emergency Caesarean section three weeks early and Theo spent 10 days being treated in the special care baby unit.

During an emotional trip back to the ward to present staff with the £2,100 cheque, the 42-year-old said she was “hugely grateful” to the staff who cared for her children with “such dignity and respect”.

She continued: “We just appreciated how much love and care the staff gave Theo.

“I am so grateful for what the hospital did for him I just wanted to give something back.”

Mrs Lovatt, of Forge Close, wrote a book called In The Shadows of Victory: Ride the Rollercoaster of Holy Week which tells the Easter story from different people’s perspectives.

She sold 450 copies and donated all of the proceeds to the appeal once paying her church back for an initial grant to cover the printing costs.

Mrs Lovatt, a deacon, said: “It is just amazing to have raised so much money and to be able to give something back.

“If this machine can help other parents in my position have their babies survive because of something I have done then I think that is just fantastic.”

The Saving Tiny Lives appeal was launched by BIBS and getreading in May.

The Giraffe OmniBed Incubator allows the most premature and sick babies to be nursed in a temperature-controlled environment with easier access for procedures.

Lead sister Gina Outram said: “It is really nice to hear that the babies that we have cared for are happy and healthy.

“It is a great privilege to be able to help.

“Amounts like this make a huge impact on our target for the incubator so we are extremely grateful and very excited.”

Since launching the Saving Tiny Lives appeal an amazing £7,417.79 has been raised.

BIBS chairman Phil Meredith said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you on behalf of BIBS to Becky for raising this money.”

You can donate to the Saving Tiny Lives appeal online at www.justgiving.com/Bibs-incubator , by texting BIBS90 followed by either £1, £2, £5, or £10 to 70070, or by sending a cheque made payable to BIBS to BIBS, Buscot Ward, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, RG1 5AN.

Please indicate that the money is for the Saving Tiny Lives appeal and mark the envelope for the attention of Phil Meredith.